Nitrates In Hay Killed Cattle

[Diggin It]

[h=2]Colorado cattle deaths caused by chemical in hay, officials say[/h][FONT=DDG_ProximaNova]

The Denver Post|31 minutes ago
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[FONT=DDG_ProximaNova]About 30 cattle died in Colorado last month after ingesting high levels of nitrates on a rancher's property near Schriever Air Force Base, a veterinarian said.


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[EarPlug]

Not going to put in an email address to read the article!

Go here instead -
Officials: Colorado cattle deaths caused by chemical in hay

 

[RalphVa]

Doesn't say how the high N got there? From just too much fertilization?

Ralph

 

[tallyho8]

What is nitrate poisoning?
Nitrate poisoning occurs when animals consume hay containing high levels of free nitrates. Under drought conditions, both warm-season grasses have the potential to accumulate high levels of nitrates, especially if they have been fertilized with nitrogen. Feeding hay that was cut during or just after a drought should be avoided. Nitrate accumulation occurs because the plant continues to take up nitrogen through the roots, but drought conditions cause an inadequate water supply for rapid plant growth. Nitrates are accumulated in the plant for use in protein formation when adequate water becomes available.

agweb.com

 

[cqaigy2]

I've heard of nitrate poisoning, but not about the process of nitrate accumulating in the hay. Thanks for the information. :thumbsup:

 

[Tinhack]

It was so bad around here about 15 years ago, the drought forced many farmers to feed cactus to their cattle. My neighbor down the road asked if he could have our cactus in exchange for clearing a field. I said; "sure thing"! He had a few workers with torches burning the spines off while a few more walked behind with what looked like straight-bladed hoes. They took everything down to the ground and the roots when they could.

Once they got a pathway cleared, he pulled a 20' box trailer back and forth while his workers loaded it. I think he must have made 10 or so trips home with a loaded trailer. They cleared about 15+ac. over a period of three days. He was happy and I was ecstatic. I've had very few come back up and dig them out when I see them start.

 

[ponytug]

It was so bad around here about 15 years ago, the drought forced many farmers to feed cactus to their cattle. My neighbor down the road asked if he could have our cactus in exchange for clearing a field. I said; "sure thing"! He had a few workers with torches burning the spines off while a few more walked behind with what looked like straight-bladed hoes. They took everything down to the ground and the roots when they could.

Once they got a pathway cleared, he pulled a 20' box trailer back and forth while his workers loaded it. I think he must have made 10 or so trips home with a loaded trailer. They cleared about 15+ac. over a period of three days. He was happy and I was ecstatic. I've had very few come back up and dig them out when I see them start.

This is the definition of win-win!

I used to grow hay, and now I buy it. It seems like every year it gets harder and harder to find quality hay. I just bought a truck load of "#1 alfalfa" that was cut so late that it is practically straw. On the bright side, this year's hay doesn't have the roadside trash (plastic, cardboard, cans) that last years had hidden in it.

With the droughts in California, we have had high nitrate hay come up, but never badly enough to affect our animals.

Thanks for sharing.

All the best,

Peter